Big Wheels Turning How and where to mountain-bike in the Mid-South. by Meredith Chiles Dolhare et me guess. Now that the weather is nice, it's like pulling teeth to get you to step inside your gym. Well, I don't blame you. The days are longer, it's not too hot yet. Why don't you head outside to get your exercise? I've probably heard all of the excuses known to man. "I don't like to run, it's boring. But I don't enjoy walking; I don't have the patience. And I can't play tennis because I don't know how." ILLUSTRATION BY JUAN DOLHARE Well, have you ever tried mountain biking? Mountain biking offers all the benefits of great exercise coupled with a sense of adventure. Not only can you ride your bike through brambles and on trails in what seems to be in the middle of nowhere (yes, in Memphis), but you can also get really muddy doing it. In fact, almost everyone I know who gives this sport a chance becomes a convert for life. And, believe it or not, Memphis has its fair share of decent mountain-biking trails. But before I throw you to the wolves on one of these trails, we've got to find the right equipment for you. Trust me, or you might get hurt. I've seen Peggy Sue, mother of four with a 1973 Schwinn bike, have to turn around on the Tour de Wolf trail at Shelby Farms because A) she didn't have the right equipment, and B) she underestimated the complexity of the terrain. A true mountain-biking trail is not paved. "Many first-timers end up with your typical department-store mountain bike," says Hal Mabry, owner of the Peddler Bike Shop and local mountain-biking expert. "These mass-produced bikes are made of high-tensile steel basically plumbing pipe and are extremely heavy in addition to not being welded together properly." So, what does that mean? Basically, the bike is harder to ride because it weighs so much and it will come apart under the stress of the trail due to bad craftsmanship. The bottom line is that you may end up paying less for this type of bike initially, but you will have to replace it much sooner. "I usually recommend a [chrome-molybdenum] main frame for my first-timers. It's fairly light and is very durable," Mabry says. "Often, people come in thinking they have to buy an aluminum frame because that's what they heard is the best. That's a misconception. Sure, high-grade aluminum is great, but what you are going to get in a $400 bike is pretty heavy." And that's what Mabry recommends spending on a new mountain bike around $400. However, for the weekend warriors among us, those who are a little more aggressive and athletic than the norm, you might need to spend a little more because you'll be harder on the bike. In addition, you'll probably ride it more. But the bike is only the beginning. You'll definitely need a pair of water-resistant Lycra-spandex biking shorts, or your butt will undoubtedly be very sore after bumping around on the trails. And you should buy a pair of biking gloves, not only to reduce friction on your grips but also to protect your hands in case you and the ground become close friends. For the same reason, a helmet is a must, but glasses to protect against branches and leaves are an option. "Most importantly, if you are out in the jungle we call the Wolf River, remember to protect yourself against the heat," Mabry warns. "If you have a cotton T-shirt on, you might as well be wearing a plastic bag. Try to find something water-resistant like CoolMax or D.R.I. Fit, hydrate before you ever hit the trail, and drink at least one bottle of water every half hour that you are out there." If you want to try before buying, your options are limited. The only place I've found that rents mountain bikes is the Outdoors Inc. in Cordova. There, you can rent a $1,100 bike for $25 dollars a day, and at certain points during the year, you have the option to buy the demos at substantially discounted prices. Who knows? After renting one of these bikes, you may want to spend more than $400. On the Trail Billy Hatcher, local biking guru and trail expert, gives us the lowdown on Memphis-area trails: Tour de Wolf. Shelby Farms (near Patriot Lake). Great fitness trail, technically good for beginners. 6-mile loop. Rainbow. Shelby Farms (near the soccer fields). Moderately difficult, tight single-track. 6 miles. Blue. Shelby Farms (near the soccer fields). Moderate difficulty due to mud and wooded areas. 6 miles. Herb Parsons Lake. Tennessee State Park in Fayette County, out Macon Road past Fisherville: Difficult due to tight single track and multiple log crossings. 6 miles. Arkabutla Dam. 40 minutes south on I-55 in Hernando, Mississippi. Great for beginners, fun for all. Multiple loops of 2 to 6 miles. Bayou Point at Arkabutla Dam. In Hernando, Mississippi, go right past dam and follow signs. Technically difficult with intense hills and turns. 6-mile loop. Bartlett Park, a.k.a. Stanky Creek. Between Yale/Bartlett Roads in Bartlett Park. Technically difficult with multiple roots and tight turns lots of mud. Shaped like a three-leaf clover three loops are connected to make a total of 9 miles. Very confusing. All of the trails listed above do have alternate routes that take you back to the beginning in case of emergency or fatigue.